Cobra Kai's Final Episode Came Close To Ruining The Whole Show, And I'm So Relieved It Didn't Happen

Warning: Spoilers ahead for Cobra Kai season 6, part 3!Cobra Kai season 6's big finale gave the show the climactic ending it so deserved, but it could easily have indulged in a specific piece of fan service that would have hurt the Netflix project's legacy. Thankfully, Cobra Kai's ending was the perfect way to see out the Karate Kid legacy sequel show, and it avoided what must have been a very tempting story choice. What ultimately happened was the only believable way that a key member of the Cobra Kai cast could get what they'd earned.

After beginning on the now-defunct YouTube Red in 2018, Cobra Kai was sold to Netflix after two seasons. The show has gone from strength to strength by contextualizing and fleshing out storylines from the Karate Kid movies as well as bringing back members of the original cast to reprise their roles alongside new characters. As well as re-popularizing the movie franchise, Cobra Kai also developed a fan base all of its own, with the source material becoming optional viewing. That said, the Karate Kid and Cobra Kai timeline is still one big entity, so there were canonical implications to consider.

Cobra Kai Thankfully Didn't Have Johnny Beat Sensei Wolf With A Crane Kick

The Netflix show resisted the urge to have Johnny use the move that beat him in 1984

Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) had a lot stacked against him in his fight with Sensei Wolf (Lewis Tan) in "Ex-Degenerate." For example, Johnny even admitted that Wolf's being younger worried him, which had never really been an issue in Cobra Kai lore before. So, I wouldn't have been surprised if the writers had him resort to drastic measures to win the fight and take home the Sekai Taikai championship for his dojo. Specifically, I was sure Johnny was about to be added to the list of characters who have executed Daniel LaRusso's crane kick, but he wasn't.

Actor William Zabka as Johnny Lawrence in Netflix’s Cobra Kai.

Cobra Kai Quietly Reveals Where Johnny Lawrence Is During Karate Kid: Legends

It was often unclear what Johnny would do when Cobra Kai ended, but the show has subtly provided an answer for his Karate Kid: Legends-era role.

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Although it would arguably have been a fun full circle moment, Johnny winning with a crane kick would have damaged his entire arc. Being defeated by Daniel by that move in the 1984 All Valley Tournament is what haunts him in the years between the original Karate Kid movie and the start of Cobra Kai, and even throughout most of the sequel show. Therefore, it wouldn't have made any sense to see Johnny win with a crane kick, as it would have meant him openly endorsing the technique rather than leaving it in his tortured past.

Cobra Kai Found A Better Way To Bring Johnny's Story Full Circle

Johnny's flashback to 1984 solidified the connection between two of his most important moments

Johnny's fight with Wolf didn't need a crane kick to bring about Johnny's redemption. Instead, the show pulled it off in other ways. Firstly, he was able to reclaim the Cobra Kai in the final stages of the Sekai Taikai, and take his first student with him, Xolo Maridueña's Miguel Diaz, as the duo graciously defected from Miyagi-Do to see out the tournament. However, there was a far more artful way "Ex-Degenerate" rounded off Johnny's arc.

Just as Daniel was preparing a move that Johnny hadn't expected or known how to handle, Wolf brought something new to the table with his mysterious stance.

Johnny vs. Wolf actually has a moment very reflective of Zabka's final scene in 1984's The Karate Kid. Just as Daniel was preparing a move that Johnny hadn't expected or known how to handle, Wolf brought something new to the table with his mysterious stance. The biggest difference is that Johnny does against Wolf what he should have done against Daniel in 1984. He lets Wolf attack and uses his momentum against him. This shows the immense growth Johnny has shown throughout Cobra Kai, drawing on his Miyagi-Do teachings rather than sticking so relentlessly to his "strike first" ethos.